Discussing the Basics of Endpoint Security

Endpoint Security is a very important and critical part of overall network security. For any enterprise today, it has become really important that they choose the right endpoint protection software ánd guard all endpoints. Here’s a detailed look at different aspects of endpoint security…

The attacks on Networks

a. Internet-based network attacks, ie, someone attacking a network using the internet would cause disruption/DDOS ( Distributed Denial of Service) or would lead to stealing of data from the network. The attacks may happen in the form of phishing links, malware settings in any other form and using any other medium etc.

b. There could also be attacks from inside. Hackers who have already infiltrated the network could form botnets or use the malware that they have let in to attack the network from inside. Such malware or botnets would be looking for vulnerable points within the enterprise to target such attacks.

c. Attacks that happen at endpoints deserve special mention today. With BYOD and IOT getting popular and with the number of endpoints in a network increasing in unprecedented ways, attacks on endpoints are on the rise.

The Different Endpoint Devices

There are different kinds of endpoint devices that are used. These include corporate devices, BYOD devices, and IoT devices. Enterprises today do the needful to secure these endpoint devices and thereby ensure overall security.

Securing Corporate Devices

The IT department in an enterprise makes sure that any corporate device that’s attached to the enterprise network is sanitized with Endpoint Security. Similarly`, corporates can also have policies about which applications can be accessed and which ones not, on endpoint devices. The basic challenge as regards securing corporate devices is that the end users, ie, the employees use corporate devices for personal things as well.

They would sometimes defy corporate policies and download stuff, including music, movies etc. For this sometimes they may even disable endpoint security, especially to install free software and applications. These could cause the endpoints to be infected with malware. So there should be stringent policies about all this and then only can total endpoint security be ensured.

Securing BYOD Devices

BYOD devices need to be secured the most. When people who use their own personal devices to connect to enterprise networks go to different sites and download things, it could pose a threat to the corporate network itself. Malware could come in from websites or the stuff that they download.

If the BYOD devices, which function as endpoints in the enterprise network, are not secured properly, they could pose a big threat to the network. Similarly, the BYOD devices too could get infected by any malware that happens to infiltrate into the company network.

Securing IoT Devices

IoT devices can be used by hackers to carry out DDOS attacks. Hence securing these too is important.

It’s to be noted that every endpoint and every endpoint device needs to be secured. There should be policies regarding the use of devices, about which applications to be used and which not, about downloading things from the internet, about connecting to external internet connections (like WiFi), about following security instructions etc. The policies must be clear and must be stringently carried out.

Unni Nair is a Technical Content Writer from Comodo, who writes blogs and articles on SSL Certificates. His posts generally aim to create awareness about the virus, Endpoint protection, malware, and firewall.